Differences in Entry Level Test and Criterion Data for Male and Female Peace Officers (From Psychological Services for Law Enforcement, P 35-42, 1986, J Reese and H A Goldstein, eds. - See NCJ-104098)

• NCJ Number: 104101
• Author(s): G E Hargrave; J M Norborg; L Oldenburg
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/NCJRS; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-104098.

Annotation

A total of 481 male cadets and 115 female cadets in police academies throughout California were compared on the basis of psychological testing, class standing, peer ratings, instructor ratings of emotional suitability for police work, and resignations from training.

Abstract

The battery of psychological tests consisted of a research instrument, the Law Enforcement Academy Questionnaire, and either the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory or the California Personality Inventory. These tests were administered on the first day of academy training. Demographic data and scales of each test were analyzed for male-female differences using various statistical techniques. The female cadets were more likely than the males to come from unstable childhood families. They were more likely than their male counterparts to have been divorced and have children from previous marriages. The female cadets had more masculine interests than females in general. The composite psychological profiles for male and female cadets were similar; however, men tended to express anger more than the women. Females did not score as well as males in physical training, marksmanship, and driving. Females also had a higher academy attrition rate than males. 4 tables and 34 references.